I am sure there will be some readers, having paid £1 for the print edition, who will be prepared to pay £1 to access its video content, especially when it breaks a sensational sexy story.

There may be others who turn their backs on print altogether, and restrict themselves to its online content. (It will be interesting to see the effect on print sales once the wall goes up).

I note that the site is being revamped to showcase a "modern, innovative design" but - as I predicted in mid-August - the emphasis will be on exclusive video and pictures.

But I remained unconvinced by the initiative, just as I was with The Times and Sunday Times. We don't have any subscription figures for those sites, of course, so it's hard to tell whether Rupert Murdoch has got it right.

What we can be sure about is the way in which The Times has dropped out of the national and international conversation on the web.

Murdoch, a global media player, is no fan of economic protectionism. I am therefore saddened that he is indulging in information protectionism.

What was that old News of the World slogan? Ah yes, "all human life is there." It will soon need updating: all human life is where?